Yes

Read principles of communism instead, it is the same content but better formatted

Oh, and watch Luna Oi's Marxism 101: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeaTLoy1C9rM

Yeah! Communism is one of the most important movements and ideologies in modern history. It has shaped the lives of everyone on the planet, whether you are one of billions living under socialism or in a state that represses labor movements. It's one of the most read pieces of literature for a reason, and it's a good idea to be informed of the demands communists aim for. Although it was a couple hundred years ago the demands are largely the same to this day, just slight modifications such as the 10 point plan of the black panther party

All of Marx' writings are worth a read even if you're a dumbass capitalist.

Someone suggested critique of the gotha program and someone else said capital (four volumes!).

Those are good alternatives to the communist manifesto which is basically a handbill for convincing people to go learn more.

Of course they’re both super old and many people have written about their contents since their publication.

Being interested in politics is maybe not the best reason to be reading about communism.

sure. you're not going to be infected with some sort of horrible mind virus. if you're interested, read it

The manifesto is just an ad for communism. You should read The Capital (part 1) if you want to interact with communism seriously.

It's always good to read more! Just like, in general. You should read the communist manifesto and then go on to read other things too, anything you fancy

The manifesto isn't even particularly long or difficult to read. Das Capital by Marx is really where his economic theories are actually presented. It is an extremely difficult read.

They derived their political ideology from their economic analysis, so it’s probably a good idea to read the context of world operating under the classical economic theories of those times.

Assigned reading in macroeconomics when I took it in college. Not a particularly left leaning course, nor cohort.

I feel it's like reading many philosophical works.

You'll read some bits and go "Wow that's a profound observation!"

And then turn the page and be like "Lol that's a biiiiig stretch, my dude. You couldn't have been serious."

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it”

— Aristotle

If anyone is looking for it, here's one of many links to that manifesto: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/index.htm

Of other possible interest, here's one of many links to Albert Einstein's Why Socialism? from 1949: https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Why_Socialism%3F

Even if you don't agree with an ideology it's always best to read it's basis so you can accurately identify what you don't agree with.

There are audio books.

Sure, the Manifesto is a pretty short easy read. But being more politically educated is always good

curious_beetle, I hereby declare you can read whatever interests you

Yep, that would be great! I think a good place to start would be this reading list I put together. You can just check out the first couple sections:

::: spoiler 1. Introduction [~1.5 hr]

Before beginning your studies, it's important to learn how to best economize our time, and why we should study Marxism-Leninism in the first place.

1. General Rules for Independent Study - N. Krupskaya (1934)

Webpage [~5 min]

Written by one of the founding Bolsheviks for students in the early USSR, this is a concise guide on how to best absorb the information to come as efficiently as possible by Nadezhda Krupskaya.

1. Why Socialism? - A. Einstein (1949)

Webpage | Audiobook [~10 min / 22 min]

Wanting to persuade his contemporaries to pursue a path of intentional development in order to avoid nuclear war and escape the profit motive, Einstein argues the case for moving onto a planned and collectivized economy over the chaos of markets and the profit motive.

1. Why Marxism? - R. Day (2020)

Webpage | Audiobook [~15 min / 21 min]

Roderic Day makes his case for why now, in the 21st century, Marxism-Leninism remains the strongest tool for working-class liberation, and why we should defend the achievements of actually existing socialism despite their real flaws.

1. "Tankies" - N. Frome (2020)

Webpage | Audiobook [~5 min / 11 min]

Marxist-Leninists do not believe Stalin, Mao, etc. did no wrong, nor do we believe actually existing socialist states (AES) to be perfect and free from criticism. Proper appraisal of the genuine achievements and genuine shortcomings of socialism in real life requires brushing away capitalist mythologizing. Once the fact is separated from fiction, only then can we hope to build on the successes of our predecessors while avoiding repeating mistakes.

1. US Interventionism, the Third World, and the USSR - M. Parenti (1986)

Webpage Transcription of Speech | Original Speech [~1 hr / 1 hr 33 min]

Dr. Michael Parenti delivers perhaps his most famous speech, discussing the predatory role of the US Empire and the progressive role played by socialist countries, including the necessary mechanisms of protection they develop against western imperialism.

1. Why do we Have to Study Theory? - Ho Chi Minh (1957)

Webpage [~10 min]

As a hugely successful revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh explains why it is not enough to have good intentions, we must do our best to study revolutionary theory to guide revolutionary practice.

Checkpoint

• Why do you want to study Marxism-Leninism?

• How can it be helpful in your present life?

• Why should we establish a socialist society? :::

::: spoiler 2. Fundamentals [~2.5 hr]

To start off your studies, a clear understanding of basic terminology, as well as the historical context that gave rise to Marxism, is necessary.

1. Principles of Communism - F. Engels (1847)

Webpage/.epub | Audiobook [~30 min /48 min]

A glossary of terms and background information, in an FAQ format.

1. Karl Marx: A Brief Biographical Sketch with an Exposition of Marxism - V.I. Lenin (1914)

Webpage | Audiobook [~1 hr / 1hr 28 min]

Lenin, as a part of his rigorous studies of Marx and his writings for application in the conditions particular to his contemporary conditions, came to know and understand Marx and his ideology at a deeper level.

1. The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism - V.I. Lenin (1913)

Webpage | Audiobook [~5 min / 18 min]

Outlaying the 3 major components of Marxism, and a short history of how they came to be.

1. Manifesto of the Communist Party - K. Marx & F. Engels (1848)

Webpage | Audiobook [~1hr / 1 hr 35 min]

Marx & Engels call the international proletariat to action using the in this overview of the aims of the communists.

Checkpoint

• What historical context gave rise to Marxism?

• What are the 3 major components of Marxism?

• In your country, what does the class makeup of society look like? Which can be aligned with the proletariat? Which cannot? :::

Of course, I recommend the whole thing. Alternatively, Prolewiki's Marxism portal contains a fantastic short list of articles that help explain the absolute basics quickly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critique_of_the_Gotha_Programme also worth reading. note that because these are 19th C documents written in that particular context, it's also helpful to read about the docs in addition to their text

The holy scripture should only be read in the original German /s

Economical books of Lenin may also be of interest, Henri Ford studied them while he never was a communist. It is a bit harder to read than the manifesto of Marx and Engels, but it doesn't require to be an economist.

Sure the Manifesto is short and easily understood so why not?

Back when I was still on reddit (and r/askreddit wasn't a cesspool of AI ragebait) someone asked if there were books people recommended, everyone should read, and I came up with this list of 6 if you want a good basis for reasoned philosophical thought:

• Plato's Republic

• Sun Tzu's The Art of War

• Marcus Aurelius's Meditations

• Machiavelli's The Prince (Machiavelli also wrote an "Art of War" and that's also worth reading)

• Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations

• Karl Marx's The Communist Manifesto

The Republic defines what society's goals should look like

The Art of War defines how to resolve conflict

Meditations teaches one how to remain objective under pressure

The Prince defines that what is OBJECTIVELY TRUE is not always what is MORALLY CORRECT

The Wealth of Nations lays out a case against Feudalism and how a functional economy should operate.

The Communist Manifesto details the natural rights of everyone to equality and shared prosperity.

Marxist Communism is a bit myopic as it really deals with factory work, and the failures of a Capitalist system to deliver on the promise of class mobility. He and Engels envisioned a classless society, and while that is a fine ideal, historically, achieving that though strictly amicable means is a bit pie in the sky, not to mention the arguments against it citing human ambition as a stumbling block aren't without merit.

Practical effects are more informative than theoretical readings. Study the countries that implemented it and how things ran. That gives the most practical and unbiased reality.